Lecture 4: The Appalachian Environment & One Health

________ is one of the unhealthiest regions in the nation, ranking poorly on numerous health measures.

Appalachian kentucky

What disease is the nation’s biggest killer and is far more deadly in Appalachian Kentucky?

cardiovascular disease

What are the leading “causes” of death?

1. heart disease

2. cancer

3. cerebrovascular

4. chronic lower resp.

What are the leading contributing causes of death?

1. tobacco

2. poor diet/inactivity

3. alcohol

4. microbial agents

Extensive epidemiological research has determined specific health behaviors, such as _____________, are major contributors to Appalachia's health disparities.

smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and diet

What is the problem with the health care system in Appalachia?

the region as a whole does NOT contain a shortage of medical professionals compared to the rest of the country, but suffers from an uneven distribution of health care resources

True or false: The Appalachian region is one of the nation’s most obese regions as well as having higher rates of food insecurity.

true

What does Appalachia have higher rates of due in part to the prevalence of social, economic, and ecological stressors?

psychological distress, depression, and suicide

What type of farms dominate appalachia?

small farms (over 95% with 100 acres or less and 60% with less than 50 acres compared to US average of 343 average)

How does the percent of cattle in an Appalachian herd compare to the US?

Appalachia: 65%

US: 39% (56% pigs)

What two species make up 91% of Appalachian large animals?

cattle and pigs

18% of vets in TN are over the age of ____.

60

What two deficiencies in caprinea have a direct environmental component?

copper and selenium

Marginal to severe ______ deficiency in cattle is widespread across the United States, especially in the Appalachian mountain and Coastal plains regions

copper

What are the signs of copper deficiency?

• change in hair color: black animals develop reddish or gray tint to hair (esp. around eyes) and red animals become more bleached

• coat becomes dull instead of shiny

What are the effects of selenium deficiency?

• white muscle disease (occur in skeletal and/or heart muscle)

• skeletal muscle groups affected: upper fore and hind limbs → stiff-legged gait or unable to stand

• lesions in heart → sudden death

• lesions in intercostal muscles → respiratory distress

What type of poisoning in cattle associated with GI and nervous systems presents with clinical signs within 24-48 hours of exposure including ataxia, blindness, salivation, spastic twitching of eyelids, jaw champing, bruxism, muscle tremors, and convulsiosn?

lead poisoning

What domestic animal is most commonly seen with rabies (53%)?

cats

Domestic species accounted for ____% of all rabid animals reported in the U.S. in 2013.

8%

What two states have reported the largest number of rabid cats?

PA and VA